Hear about Melissa’s journey with the Simon Community

My journey working with the Simon Community Scotland began in 2011 as an HNC Social Care student where I was on placement at the Govanhill Women’s Service. I enjoyed my time as a student working with the Simon Community so I decided to apply for a permanent job. I was lucky enough to get an interview and gained employment.

Expanding my experience and qualifications

I started working nightshifts at the Kent Road Women’s Service. I was also able to pick up some daytime shifts. This gave me the opportunity to gain more experience in different roles, including doing co-keywork, as well as work towards completing my SVQ3. I’m very grateful for this as I now have this qualification!

Moving to Castlemilk Men’s Service

After a year and a half I felt that I had outgrown my role as a Nightshift worker and wanted to work as a daytime member of staff. A vacancy came up within the Castlemilk men’s service. It was only fixed term to cover maternity leave, but I felt it was a good opportunity to learn more as a secondment. I visited the Simon Community website to get a bit more information. I knew it was a service for me, but not much more! I found out that it is a registered care home for six men with addiction issues. I decided to bite the bullet and apply for the post and again I was lucky enough to gain the role!

Joining a new team

I was nervous about starting at the Castlemilk service, just like anyone is on their first day of a new job. There was no need to be concerned – the staff team at Castlemilk were very welcoming and friendly, as well as the service users. The staff were great at showing me the ropes and making me feel a part of the team right away.

Working alongside people at Castlemilk

Castlemilk Service has a nice homely feel to it and a good atmosphere. As with any service which supports individuals with chaotic lifestyles it can have ups and downs, but everyone here pulls together to get through things.

The service was recently decorated which was a bonus. It’s great to be able be in the lovely living room with the service users and “have a gab. All of the service users can sit down to dinner together in the dining room, which also has a darts board and pool table for the guys.

House meetings are held regularly so that the folk living at Castlemilk are able to have a say in everything to do with the service – most importantly house chores and who is cooking each night of the week! This is also when discussions around social activities takes place so the service users decide what they would like to do – for example, things like fishing, bowling, cinema and much more.

Dread turns to delight!

As my secondment was coming to an end, I was dreading leaving the Castlemilk service. I had been working closely alongside service users as a keyworker helping them put a personalised care plans in place that would help them work towards their needs and goals. I had been doing this work for nine months as a Support Worker (level 2). I was delighted that a full-time Support Worker (level 2) post at Castlemilk came up and I went for it. I’m currently on my probation period working in this position and have high hopes of being part of this fabulous service for a long time!